The Hayabusa probe will release a capsule into the atmosphere on the way back to Earth - the spacecraft will be destroyed but the capsule should survive re-entry into the atmospere and land in Australia.

A clever tracking system has been attached to the container which will help guide scientists to the drop location.

Triumph

The Japanese have had massive problem with the probe - so if the capsule manages to collect even dusty fragments, they will be overjoyed!

It could be months before scientists are able to say whether Hayabusa did capture fragments of Itokawa.

Even tiny particles would provide new look into the early history of the Solar System and the formation of the planets more than 4.5 billion years ago.